The Aranged Marriage

Lán stood staring at his father in disbelief.

“Father, you don’t actually expect me to marry her, do you? I agree the Xiá family is influential but surely, someone else in the family is better suited to this.”

The elder man sat in front of him with a creased brow. Lán’s mother sat next to him, her own face twisted in one of annoyance.

“I didn’t expect you to be so against this match, Lán; however, it’s already been decided. You should be honored to have a wife from such a high ranking family.”

Already… done. Without even asking the one getting married.

“Fine. Allow me to ask another question, Father.” He paused letting his father nod in acceptance before continuing, “What does she think of this arrangement?”

“She’s already agreed to it. From the correspondence she’s sent, she is looking forward to joining our family.”

Correspondence? So she’s known about this much longer than he had to boot.

Defeated, Lán was sent back to his duties, it seems he would not be allowed to spend time with his new beloved until the big day.

________________________many years later________________________

Lán stood in his garden. The smell of tea wafted in the air. Following it led him to find his wife and brother-in-laws enjoying some of that fine tea. He quickly stepped behind a pillar as he overheard his name.

“So, just how is Lán treating our darling little sister?” Rajan said with a smile on his face before Fāngcǎo chided him.

“Geez, anything to change the subject, huh? We’re fine. He leaves me to my job and I leave him to his. Easy-peasy. Now, back to the subject at hand, when are YOU going to settle down?”

“Now, now! Don’t be like that please. Eventually? Maybe?” The lopped eared Bunn turned to his younger brother in need. “So Yŭzhòu what about you? Happily married still?”

“Bud out.”

Lán couldn’t help but smile at that. Good ol’ Yŭzhòu, it was nice to see that he’s that cold with everyone. His smile faded as he strained his ears to listen as his wife spoke.

“You know, I do wish that Lán was a bit more lovely-dovey with me. He’s such a pretty man but i don’t think he’s very interested in me, ya know?”

The brothers were silent before the stern youngest sibling spoke up.

“Tell him then. He’s not a mind reader.”

“Wow, Yŭz, i certainly didn’t expect this to come from you! Hey, where are you going!?”

“Zhàohuì is waiting for me. I can’t babysit you two all day.”

Lán heard a gasp from the two older siblings as their sibling left them too stunned to speak. Rajan quickly stood up and stormed after him in a huff, yelling and running after him.

________

As Fāngcǎo cleaned up and headed back to her quarters, Lán stood deep in thought. He had no idea that she felt that way about him. It was true he wasn’t the most dutiful husband; was it possible that he was still bitter about having an arranged union?

Yes, she was annoying sometimes but they cared for each other. He just needed to show her that more…

He had some shopping to do, and a LOT of making up for lost time to do.